May 13 , 2016
News
Army chief, Afghan envoy discuss border management
By APP
RAWALPINDI: Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Omer Zakhilwal met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters here on Friday.
Issues related to bilateral relations with particular reference to border management were discussed in the meeting, ISPR Director General Asim Bajwa stated in a Tweet message.
During the meeting, it was agreed to resume routine border traffic at Torkham. Both sides showed resolve to continue efforts to fight terrorism, bring lasting peace in the region.
The meeting comes in the wake of a TV channel report that Afghan citizens had to stay in different parts of Landi Kotal area in Khyber Agency after border crossing at Torkham remained closed for the fourth consecutive day.
On Thursday, much-awaited talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the border crossing at Torkham ended in a stalemate. Pakistan closed the border on Tuesday after the Afghan forces prevented fencing along the border to stop illegal cross-border movements.
Witnesses said that thousands of people and vehicles were stuck up on both sides of the border. Soon after the border closure, Afghan nationals, including women, children and patients who were stuck due to tension, took shelter in under construction buildings, verandas and other shades in the tribal area.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk